The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1887-07-09
THE FLIGHT INTO EGYPT.
EXPLANATORY NOTES BY REV. r.
Sc S. M'ARTHuR, D. D.

Text of the Lesson, Matt. IL, l.-.3'
Golden Text, Ps xviii. 10.
Matthew alone records this part OF our
Lords life This he does in harmony with
the plan Of his Gospel. Christ's life and work
arc the heart OF Old Testament prophecy.
Its fulflllment In him in most unexpected
ways, often through the malice OF wicked
men, is an argument for the inspiration OF
the Scriptures We may see in today's les
son how God can watch over his church even
In its times Of greatest danger.
vs.. 1915 The Angel, etc.-This expression
In the Old Testament generally refers to the
angel Jehovah. the second person In the God
head Strictly speaking, here it is an angel
in the ordinary sense Of that term, and refer
ence seems to be to the angel Gabriel, who
luke /, 2G appeared to Mary to announce
the birth OF the Lord. The word angel means
simply a messenger So--used, it is applied to
prophets, to persons, and even to inanmate
objects-to any person or thing which accom-
plishes Gods will But in this application 1t
Is limited to race Of beings Of superior intel
ligence and holiness who did Gods will 10y
minstering to the heirs Of salvation. This
messenger appeared now to Joseph in
dream The case is peculiarly urgent; there
must be no delay. Egypt was at this time
subject 70 the Romans, but it was not under
the control Of Herod. 1t had been for cen
turtles familiar to the Hebrews. The way was
easy. The Jews We're numerous there, and
had synaCogues there. 1t is certainly re-
markable that in the land where the people OF
God had suffered the Son of God should find
protection. During the lifetime of Herod
they might not return, but his death occurred
probably soon after their fight. The pro
phecy bere cited is from Hosea ri, |. Its
primary application is to Israel in Egypt, but
in the child Jesus it has its complete fulfill
ment. Israel was called Coils son, Gods
firstborn. There arc many points of SINH
larity between Christ and lrael IN Egypt.
In him ali types and prophecies find their
completion Near the site Of the Egyptian
temple is the traditional place OF Christ's
temporary residence in Egypt.
vs.. 1918 The massacre of the innocents.-
The wise men did not return to Herod. 1t
soon dawned upon him that he was Knocked,
|. g., treated with discourtesy. This was not
the design of the wise men, but 1t undouot-
edly was the conclusion to which Herod came.
Two motives now influenced his conduct:
first, he would crafty his wrath against the
wise men; and second, he would be sure OF
destroying the child Jesus. All the children
all the boys This is the true meaning OF
the word Male children alone he desired tn
slsy-not only those in Bethlehem, but also
in the vicinity, the adjacent districts Two
years old and under.-It is difficult to decide
on the exact length of time here indicated 1t
NAV mean all under two years, or oil who
were entering the second year. If Matthew
adopted the usual Jew ish method Of reckon
ing. as it il likely he did, he would reckon a
child who had Just entered the second year as
two wears old But the number of children
slain could not have been great Bethlehem
was small town. Its vicinity was not pop
ulous DR.. Hackett, as quoted by DR.. q. W..
Clark, supposes that the whole number was
not more than twelve or fifteen. Enemies OF
the gospel have seized upon this incident as II
it wers IN utterly improbable record. Many
questions also have been started by it. lthas
been supposed by some that thousands OF
children were slain. This act OF cruelty was
quite in harmony with Herod's character,
and it took place probably shortly before his
death. We need not be surprised that Josephus
passes it over it silence. The chief interest to
US Is in its connection with the childhood and
preservation Of Jesus. In the sorrow which
resulted from this act of cruelty the evangelist
finds the fulfillment Of the prophecy III a sec
ondary sense. Rama.-A city about six miles
north OF Jerusalem; not Ramah in the land
OF Ephraim, where Samuel was born and
buried.
VS.. 1923 The Holy Family Returns from
Egypt Again Matthew is alone in the
record here given Herod is now dead. His
death occurred at Jericho in the roth year OF
his age and the thirty-seventh of his reign, as
the result of loathsome disease. Again the
angel appears in dream to Joseph, and
urges him to return to the land Of Israel.
They are dead. Not Herod alone but those
who aided him in the diabolical work; espe-
cially his son Antipater, who was heir APP
parent, and who would gladly seek the de-
struction Of rival heir. IL is said that five
days before Hcrod died lie had this son, who
had aided him in the death Of his two elder
brothers, put to DEATH The return from
Egypt was thus brought about. The sojourn
must have been short. Archeaus received
half the kingdom on the death OF Herod.
His title was ethnarch. The other half OF
the Kingdom was ulNlleu between Ill! anu
Antipas, each receiving the title of tetrarch,
or governor of the fourth part. After nine
years the Roman Emperor Augustus ban
ished Archeaus because OF his cruelty. He
slew 5000 Jews at once in the temple at the
beginning of his reign No longer had Judea
native king The scepter had departed.
The sacred soil was Immediately under the
feet of mighty Rome, with governor whose
headquarters were in CnSarea.
He was afraid.-Ihe presence of Archelaus
alarmed Joseph. Again he was instructed by
God in dream, and he turned aside into
Galilee, and dwelt in a city called Nazareth.
Four times Joseph was honored by revela
ton of Gods will. Palestine was divided
into three parts-Gallee on the north, Sauna
ria in the center and Judea in the south. In
Galilee Joseph would be safe under Herod
Antipas, who was gentle and kind as com
pared with Archelaus Nazareth means
branch; there the branch was to grow up
1t was a small city under the hills Of lower
Galilee, about seventy miles north Of Jeru
salem and midway between the Jordan and
the Mediterranean. 1t was situated on the
side of the hill.
Nazarene.-There is much difficulty in ex
planning this word. The word itself does no,
appear il the Old Testament The best ex
PLANTATION probably is that Matthew does moi